Paul Thompson, 87, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Woonsocket. A memorial service will be at 1:30 PM March 1, 2025 at Storla Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday, February 28, 2025 at Will Funeral Chapel. Burial with military rites will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in rural Letcher, SD.

Paul was born June 8, 1937 to Ernest and Arlene Thompson, 3 miles north of Storla, SD. He attended country school then Letcher high school. He served in the National Guard for eight years.

Farming was his life's love; he was a very hard worker. Paul lived on his family farm and farmed with his dad and brother. They had hogs, fat cattle, dairy cattle and crops.

Paul had a love for flying. He and his brother purchased a plane and enjoyed flying it. He was a gun lover and collector. He also drove for RSVP.

In 1974 he married the love of his life, Beverly Hoffman. She had a son, Ernie, who he later adopted. The couple were married for 50 years. They also later adopted two boys, John Paul and Bryan Wesley.

He enjoyed having his eight grandchildren around; a happy grandpa. Paul was confirmed at the Storla Church. He also enjoyed being in the men's choir at the Storla Church. He and Bev were Lutheran League Advisers as well.

After retirement the lived in Mitchell and enjoyed going back to the Storla house to mow yards; as well as mowing the church yard.

Paul is survived by his wife, Beverly, sons; John Thompson, Ernie (Tiffany) Thompson, brother, Keith (Gloria) Thompson, nephews, Ryan and Gregg Thompson and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a son, Bryan Wesley Thompson, parents, Ernest and Arlene, in-laws, Al and Faye Bitterman as well as aunts and uncles